As Court Administrator and substitute Judge for Justice Court for the last 12 years, I am endorsing Jim Pearson for Justice of the Peace. I didn’t know Jim prior to the primary election however, I have spent some time since then getting to know him. He has spent many hours in the courtroom since the primary election observing various proceedings and is being mentored by Judge Clute. He is a man of character, morals, and integrity. I feel confident that he is an unbiased person and will sit on the bench with all of those qualities.
I have worked with Jim’s opponent for the last twelve years and the above qualities are lacking. I hold the same position as Ms. Ray (Court Administrator) and as a substitute Judge. As substitute Judges, we simply “fill in” when the “real” Judge is not there due to sickness or vacation. Neither of us have any law degree nor have we attended any mandatory annual Judges training. To represent yourself as a Judge who has “sat on hundreds of criminal and civil cases” are statements I would have to question. Misrepresentation is not a quality one should have as a Judge.
It is also mandatory that whoever sits on the Justice Court bench remain impartial and unbiased. Ms. Ray has demonstrated her inability to do either. While in the employ of Judge Clute and Judge Bailey, she attempted to discuss what she believed she knew about various defendants prior to their court appearance with Judge Clute and was reprimanded as it could bias the Court. A Judge must adhere to “innocent until proven guilty” which means impartiality and the ability to remain unbiased.
My support for Jim Pearson is based on the person I believe will do the best job for Ravalli County, the best person who will sit unbiased and impartial on the bench and the person who has no conflict of interest within the system.
Please join me, Judge Burnsides and Judge Clute in supporting Jim Pearson for Justice of the Peace, Dept. 1 with your vote on November 4th.
Charlene Hanson
Hamilton